Hospitals’ management urged for the establishment of health desks

KARACHI: Chief Executive Officer, Sindh Healthcare Commission, Dr Minhaj Qidwai, noted that only laboratories designated by the Sindh Health Department are eligible and equipped to test for the coronavirus.

In his statement, Dr Minhaj Qidwai directed all hospitals to follow the directives issued by the Sindh Health Department, decided in the most recent Taskforce for Coronavirus meeting. All doctors and paramedics shall remain on duty and/on-call during the course of the global emergency of COVID-19. All hospitals’ staff must perform hand hygiene frequently with soap and water, and all hospitals’ management shall install sanitizers in the hospital for the general public. Additionally, all hospitals should arrange health desks for education, screening, and awareness regarding the COVID-19.

All elective surgeries and procedures will not be carried out until further notice. Only emergency surgeries and carcinoma surgeries shall be entertained. All medical OPDs will not be closed, including obstetric care. Only one attendant will be allowed to accompany each patient inside the hospitals’ premises.

The management of hospitals should ensure effective disinfection of the premises thrice a day, especially surfaces of installations, chairs, tables, and doors. Hospitals must also ensure proper medical waste management measures.

All healthcare staff is required to wear masks during patient examination. The hospitals’ management should ensure that their staff is provided with masks.